Phu Tho province

Norias in Xuan Dai.

Phu Tho is a mountainous province in northern Vietnam. In the north, it borders Tuyen Quang and Yen Bai provinces; in the south, Hoa Binh; in the east, Vinh Phuc and Ha Tay and in the west, Son La province.

Phu Tho is situated in the transitional region between the delta of the Red River and the extension of the mountainous region from Hoang Lien mountain whose terrain lowers down gradually from northwest to southwest. The west and the southwest of Phu Tho is a low mountain system which is the extension of Hoang Lien mountain range. In general, the province has a relatively various and rich terrain with many beautiful and attractive landscape favourable to developing tourism.

Phu Tho has many rivers flowing past its land. The Red River, the longest one of northern Vietnam that runs through Phu Tho (the portion from Lao Cai to Viet Tri is called the Thao River), the Black River and the Clear River-the most important rivers in northern Vietnam - also run through the province. The confluence of the Black River and the Red River is at present Hong Da commune in Tam Nong district. The Clear River and the Red River meet each other at Bach Hac confluence in Viet Tri. That is why Viet Tri is called a confluence town. These rivers, together with the Bua River, which flows within Phu Tho, and 72 large and small streams in the province not only provide water for local industrial production but also play an important role in provincial waterway transport and expand the exchange between Phu Tho and other provinces.

In Phu Tho, the Muong are most numerous in the two districts of Thanh Son and Yen Lap. Thanh Thuy district also has two Muong communes.

The mountainous region of Thanh Son in southwestern Phu Tho, situated on the last mountain slopes of Hoang Lien mountain range at a height of 1.000 metres over the sea, has many lime mountains alternating with valleys.

In some Muong regions in Phu Tho such as Xuan Son and Lai Dong communes in Thanh Son district, some valleys are encircled by limestone mountains as those in Hoa Binh province. These valleys, however, are not high and their closed circle is not great as those in ancient Muong regions in Lung Van - Tan Lac (Hoa Binh).

In Phu Tho, a Muong region often has a bigger stream and a vaster valley in front of mountains with fields stretching on a large scope next to verdant gardens. The Muong in Phu Tho are still masters of palm tree forests, tea plant hills and orchards. They have come beyond their closed life to the delta of the three big rivers, namely the Thao, the Da and the Chay. The residential area of the Muong in Phu Tho has expanded gradually to join the plain of Phuc Yen and Kinh Bac, etc.

That ecological region is one of the important elements that have spurred the development process of the Muong in Phu Tho.

The Muong region in Xuan Son commune, Thanh Son district has a very beautiful landscape with many virgin and pristine forests and grottoes running deep inside mountains for kilometres with many stalactites no less picturesque than the Phong Nha grotto.

The Muong region of Yen Lap adjacent to the Muong region of Thanh Son has many hills and streams.

The Muong region of Thanh Thuy on the Black River side has somewhat influenced the economy of the region.

The Muong regions in Phu Tho also have many great rivers like the Black River, the Bua River, the Day River, etc. The residential area of the Muong in Phu Tho has a rich ecology, therefore their economic and cultural life has many special characteristics different from other Muong regions in Vietnam.